HMS Jervis (F00) (from 1940 pennant G00) was a J-class destroyer

Destroyer

In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

 of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 named after Admiral John Jervis

John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent

Admiral of the Fleet John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent GCB, PC was an admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom...

 (1735–1823). Jervis was laid down by R. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Limited

Hawthorn Leslie and Company

R. & W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Limited, usually referred to as Hawthorn Leslie, was a shipbuilding and locomotive manufacturer. The Company was founded on Tyneside in 1886 and ceased building ships in 1982.-History:...

, at Hebburn-on-Tyne

Hebburn

Hebburn is a small town situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in North East England, sandwiched between the towns of Jarrow and Bill Quay...

 on 26 August 1937. She was launched on 9 September 1938 and commissioned on 8 May 1939, four months before the opening of hostilities.

Designed as a flotilla leader to the J class destroyers, who were intended to make up 7th Flotilla, she was sister ship of, and identical to, , leader to the K class and similar to HMAS Napier (G97)

HMAS Napier (G97)

HMAS Napier was an N class destroyer serving in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Built During 1939 and 1940, the destroyer was commissioned into the RAN, although she was ordered and owned by the British government...

 of the N-class
However, despite an impressive war record (she earned 13 battle honours, a feat only exceeded by one other ship) she remains virtually unknown, overshadowed by her more famous sister.
When war broke out in September 1939 Jervis was under the command of Captain Philip Mack

Philip Mack

Philip John Mack was an officer of the British Royal Navy.He was born in Paston Hall near Norwich, the son of Paston Mack, a Major in the 12th Royal Lancers, British Army...

, and was leader of 7th Destroyer Flotilla (DF) based in the Humber

Humber

The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal River Ouse and the tidal River Trent. From here to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between the East Riding of Yorkshire on the north bank...

.